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| BREAKING: GHANA AIRLIFTS 300 CITIZENS FROM SOUTH AFRICA AS XENOPHOBIA ATTACKS INTENSIFY |
In one of the most dramatic moments of 2026 Ghana has begun airlifting its citizens out of South Africa following a dangerous wave of xenophobic attacks targeting African migrants across the country. The story has shaken the entire continent and sparked fierce debate about African unity.
The Evacuation Flight
A plane carrying 300 Ghanaian nationals evacuated from South Africa due to anti-immigration protests landed in Accra on Wednesday. The group, which included women and children, arrived at the airport in Ghana's capital and were received by the foreign minister amid patriotic songs blasted over the airport speakers. (GhanaSoccernet)
Some 800 Ghanaians in total are expected to leave South Africa after Accra organised repatriation flights in response to a wave of protests and violence targeting both documented and undocumented foreigners in the country. (GhanaSoccernet)
"We Are Not Orphans" — Returnee Speaks Out
Victor Atsu Togbe, one of the roughly 300 returnees who landed on Wednesday afternoon, spoke emotionally at the airport. "It has never been easy for us in South Africa over the past few weeks," he told AFP. "If you mess around with Ghanaians anywhere in the world, thinking that they are orphaned or nobody cares about them, you are mistaken." (GhanaSoccernet)
Why Are Ghanaians Fleeing?
Authorities described the evacuation as a voluntary repatriation process for Ghanaian citizens who no longer felt safe in South Africa amid rising xenophobia that left migrants facing harassment, job losses and violence. (GhanaSoccernet)
An ultimatum by one citizen-led group demanding illegal migrants be expelled by June 30 has raised serious fears of violence, after bouts of anti-immigrant unrest in the past that claimed dozens of lives. (GhanaSoccernet)
Other African Nationals Also At Risk
Several hundred people from countries including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Somalia sought protection in the eastern port city of Durban, saying locals were going door-to-door to tell them to leave before the June 30 deadline. (YouTube)
A Painful Reminder For Africa
The Ghanaians who stepped off that plane in Accra on May 29, 2026 brought home more than suitcases and personal belongings. They brought home a reminder that the struggle for justice, dignity and African solidarity is not yet complete.
What do you think — should African countries do more to protect each other's citizens? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 🇬🇭
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